Category Archives: North Reading

December 19, 2018 · 12:02 am

North Reading holds off Amesbury 43-41

Last shot of the game

Lauren Sullivan (11 points) made two 3’s

(Amesbury MA) Amesbury rallied from thirteen down in the final quarter and had a shot to tie it at the buzzer.

But the shot missed, and North Reading escaped with a 43-41 win in Cape Ann League action on Tuesday night.

The ups and downs in this game were significant.

If you came early, the Indians were unstoppable and off to an 8-0 lead in the first 1 ½ minutes.

If you saw just the middle section it was all Hornets. They drained three’s (8 of them) and took very good care of the ball.

If you looked in after NR sported a nice cushion (42-29) at the 6:41 mark of the final quarter, you saw Amesbury put pressure defense and thirteen straight points together and nearly catch the Hornets.

Flannery O’Connor (12 points) finds an opening

This certainly was a game where the good things and the things needing work were obvious for both squads.

“We needed to play that defense the whole game,” said AHS coach Gregg Dollas afterwards.

The visitors ran an excellent offense against single coverage. They passed, they drove, they got to the basket, and drew fouls. When the taller Amesbury defenders started to double-team in the final quarter, NR struggled and turned the ball over six times in four minutes and set up the Indians late-game run.

The Indians (1-1) got off to the electric start because scoring threat Flannery O’Connor was able to get the ball in close against light coverage. That quickly changed and most of the rest of the game Flannery had at least two defenders and sometimes a third one nearby.

Ali Grasso (16 points) finds teammate Lauren Sullivan (4) closer to the basket

“Once we start hitting our shots, we’ll be tough to beat,” added Coach Dollas. With Flannery so closely covered there were shots for teammates that didn’t fall this time.

North Reading (2-0) was good from long range. The Hornets struck eight times from far out with Ali Grasso and Casey McAuliffe getting three each.

Ali paced NR with sixteen points while Casey added twelve. Lauren Sullivan contributed eleven points.

Amesbury had twelve from Flannery and eleven from newcomer Avery Hallinan.

After the home team grabbed the quick 8-0 lead, North Reading followed with a 15-1 stretch that had them ahead, 15-9, early in the second period.

Later the Hornets put eight straight together in the third quarter when Lauren Sullivan’s full-court layup was followed by three’s from Ali Grasso and Lauren.

Mary Bullis over Kiley McCarthy (1)

But no sooner did that happen in the third quarter than Amesbury puts its own run of points together. Mary Bullis hit a three from Alli Napoli and Flannery O’Connor drove the length of the court. Mary Bullis finished the run by converting her own missed shot.

Typical of this game, however, NR came back with its own version of good offense and was sitting pretty (42-29) with 6:41 remaining.

It is hard to believe that the Hornets had only one point (Ali Grasso free throw) the rest of the way.

Ciara Sullivan hit a couple of jump shots and Avery Hallinan made six free throws to key Amesbury’s late-game rush.

The Indians were within a point (42-41) but came up empty in the final minute. Ali Napoli got a shot off to the right of the lane in heavy coverage that missed to end the game.

Free throw shooting was a struggle for both teams.

The free throw shooting was not good in this one. North Reading missed ten (11-for-21) and Amesbury eight (12-for-20). The Indians had six misses within their thirteen-point rally in the final quarter.

Enthusiastic crowd on hand.

Alli Napoli took a heavy fall late in the game driving to the basket. Somehow, she managed to play on.

North Reading box

Amesbury box

(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)

Ali Grasso dribbles into space

Amesbury defense collapses on Mia DeNofrio (23)

Avery Hallinan (11) tries to pass to Flannery O’Connor (12)

Flannery O’Connor with three Hornets

Floor tussle

Mia DeNofrio shoots a free throw

Mine!

Sadie Kermelewicz (4) stays with Ali Grasso (3)

Hustling Alli Napoli (21) caught Julie Howse (33) and blocked her shot

Lauren Sullivan (4) in for a layup

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Filed under Amesbury, North Reading

Tagged as Ali Grasso, Ali Napoli, Avery Hallinan, Casey McAuliffe, Flannery O'Connor, Lauren Sullivan

November 1, 2018 · 9:24 pm

Newburyport sweeps the CAL cross country championships

Lindsay MacLellan of North Reading (first)

Sam Acquaviva of Newburyport (first)

(Amesbury MA) The Newburyport Clippers had a big day at Woodsom Farm taking the Cape Ann League cross country titles in the boys and girls division.

Led by Sam Acquaviva and John Lucey, the Clippers added the CAL championship to their undefeated regular season.

“Sam is Sam,” said NHS coach Don Hennigar of his CAL championship repeat winner. “That was the best race of John’s life. To finish second in this league is so good.”

The misty/muddy conditions worried Sam although he ran most of the race alone. “There was a lot that could go wrong in the conditions. I always assume that the other runners will come back.”

On teammate John Lucey finishing second? “It was nice to have John behind me. It was unexpected. He had a great race.”

John Lucey (2nd)

Newburyport won the race by forty points: (1) Sam Acquaviva, (2) John Lucey, (6) Dreese Fadil, (9) Cam Lasson, (17) Peter King.

Other top ten finishers: (3) Tyler Stranc, (4) Peter Lopata, (5) Sebastian Gilligan, (7) Will Kenny, (8) John Astrofsky, (10) Keegan Ritchie.

The totals in the girls’ race were much closer: Newburyport (68), Triton (76), Hamilton-Wenham (80).

The point scorers for Newburyport were; Ellie Schulson (4^th), Lindsey Roberts (7^th), Lucy Gagnon (14^th), Olivia D’Ambrosio (20^th), Caroline Wilson (23^rd).

Clippers coach Don Hennigar: “Ellie Schulson (4^th) and Lindsey Roberts (7^th) were above and beyond today. This was probably the best race Lindsey has ever had.”

Junior Lindsay MacLellan of North Reading was the upset winner. Last year’s winner, Eva Feuerbach of Manchester-Essex, finished second.

Eve Feuerbach (2nd)

Don Hennigar: “That girl from Manchester-Essex doesn’t get beat very often and the girl from North Reading (Lindsay MacLellan) won by a lot. Most people would call that an upset.”

I asked Lindsay MacLellan how she won the race. “A lot of mud. A lot of heart. I’m a hilly person so this was the kind of course I like. I gained separation (from Eva Feuerbach) at 2.75 miles.”

The win by Newburyport avenged a meet loss they had to Triton during the regular season.

Other top ten finishers; (3) Ellie Gay-Killeen, (5) Phoebe Rubio, (6) Lana Crosson, (8) Ava Cote, (9) Jemma Shea, (10) Sarah Harrington.

The race was held at Woodsom Farm in Amesbury. Originally scheduled for Saturday at Bradley Palmer State Park but the weather forced a change. The weather actually wasn’t all that great at Woodsom today.

Second-place finisher John Lucey: “It was a tough race for everyone. I was able to plot the best course through the mud in some sections. Coming down the hills was dangerous in some places.”

John ran much of the race with no one near him ahead (Sam Acquaviva) or behind (Tyler Stranc). How do you stay tuned in? “I kind of get delusional. Then I keep going because I think someone’s right behind me.”

Excellent job done by Amesbury AD Glenn Gearin and his staff handling the parking and other logistical issues.

(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge if you click on them.)

Newburyport’s Katherine Sheehy and Annie Siemasko accept the first-place trophy

Girls start

Ellie Gay-Killeen (Triton) 3rd

Ellie Schulson (Newburyport) 4th

Phoebe Rubio (Pentucket) 5th

Lana Crosson (Masconomet) 6th

Lindsey Roberts (Newburyport) 7th

Ava Cote (Hamilton-Wenham) 8th

Jemma Shea (Hamilton-Wenham) 9th

Sarah Harrington (Triton) 10th

Boys start

Sam Acquaviva shows off the Woodsom Farm mud

Tyler Stranc (Triton) 3rd

Peter Lopata (Pentucket) 4th

Sebastian Gilligan (Masconomet) 5th

Dreese Fadil (Newburyport) 6th

Will Kenny (Manchester-Essex) 7th

John Astrofsky (Lynnfield) 8th

Cam Lasson (Newburyport) 9th

Keegan Ritchie (Triton) 10th

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Filed under Hamilton-Wenham, Lynnfield, Manchester-Essex, Masconomet, Newburyport, North Reading, Pentucket, Triton

Tagged as Eve Feuerbach, John Lucey, Lindsay MacLellan, Sam Acquaviva

October 29, 2018 · 10:01 pm

North Reading and Triton finish with a 1-1 tie in girls soccer

Madison DiNapoli (22) and Bella Lesinksi (29) battle in the closing minutes

Anna Behringer (left) and Gabbie Barker (right)

(Byfield MA) North Reading (4-9-4) and Triton (5-11-1) ended in a 1-1 tie this afternoon in Cape Ann League girls soccer.

Not a win, but in a season with few of them for both teams, the ending was better than it might have been.

The Vikings entered the game having lost seven straight.

The Hornets nearly pulled this one out in the final three minutes. “We had some good chances at the end,” said North Reading coach Sean Killeen afterwards.

In that high-opportunity final minutes a brilliant rush by Hornets freshman Madison DiNapoli was only thwarted because of an even better defensive effort by Vikings senior Bella Lesinski. Bella was able to stay with Madison as she raced down the middle and force a shot that was barely wide right.

Bella Lesinski (29) heads away a corner kick

That dangerous play was followed immediately by another scoring chance on a corner kick. Alyssa Prusik took it and sent it in the middle where Triton’s Bella Lesinski stepped up and drove the ball back with a header.

Triton cleared the ball toward the other end, but it was only there momentarily. Back came the Hornets and this time they were awarded a direct kick from straightaway in the closing seconds. Junior Joanna Kellogg took the kick but sent it wide left as the final whistle sounded.

Not surprisingly, Triton was happy at the end (they survived) and North Reading a bit frustrated (they had serious late-game chances).

But in the bigger scheme of things, neither team lost.

The Hornets started the game with the sun in their eyes and the wind at Triton’s back. The home team cashed in three minutes into the game.

“We’ve been working on getting our crosses better,” explained Triton first-year coach Dave Ducharme after the game. Sophomore Kyla Prussman served a textbook cross from the right.

“Elisabeth (Lindholm) collected it and got a good angle to score,” added Coach Ducharme.

Elizabeth Lindholm (24) shoots past several Hornets

Elisabeth Lindholm’s shot rolls into the net with Julia Boyle (21) there to make sure

Twenty minutes later in was North Reading’s turn to execute a well-placed crossing pass.

Madison DiNapoli was the passer, after a strong run down the right side. Madison’s pass was far enough out from the goal that Triton keeper Darcie McDonough couldn’t intercept it. NR sophomore Katelyn Gorgenyi was where the ball was headed but before it got to her it was deflected accidentally by Triton defender Haley Morland into the net.

Madison DiNapoli wth room to execute a crossing pass

Ball deflects in off Haley Morland (14)

“We had a little bit of a breakdown on their goal,” said Coach Ducharme. “It’s called an own goal.”

The final fifty-seven minutes of play largely avoided the goal-scoring areas until that exciting final three minutes in the Triton end.

Joanna Kellogg (10) finishes the game with a direct kick

Senior Bella Lesinski (CAL All-Star last year) saved the day for the Vikes in the final minutes.

Morgan Hall between Mia DeNofrio (23) and Julia Boyle (21)

I was impressed with Triton freshman Morgan Hall. Not tall, but a very skillful dribbler and passer. “Morgan has rarely been out of any games we’ve had this season,” said Coach Ducharme.

In the first meeting of the two teams (September 21^st) Triton was the winner 1-0. Morgan had the goal in that one assisted by Emily Colby.

North Reading had qualified for the post-season five straight seasons before this year.

Triton won as many games this year (5) as they totaled over the past two seasons. Their last winning season was the 14-7-2 one they had in 2014.

Very impressed with Triton’s turf field. Their lights are excellent too.

I’m guessing that a lot of attendees were a bit groggy after witnessing yet another World Series title become a reality late last night.

(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)

NR goalie Alyssa Crugnale

Darcie McDonough

Elizabeth Lindholm (24) and Kyla Prussman (13) after goal

Elisabeth Lindholm looks for a rebound

Julia Beauvais (left) and Joanna Kellogg (right)

Kaitlyn Shevlin (6) pressed by Vikings

Katelyn Gorgenyi

Madison DiNapoli

Shot on net – Kyla Prussman (13), Abby Martin (2), Abby Griffin (4)

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Filed under North Reading, Triton

Tagged as Bella Lesinski, Madison DiNapoli, Morgan Hall

May 21, 2018 · 10:53 pm

North Reading cools off Triton 5-2 to remain undefeated

Grace McGonagle tagged out at home by Tara Driver after a great throw from RF Guiliana Peppe.

Winning pitcher Cassie Pascucci struck out seven Vikings

(Byfield MA) Not so fast, Triton!

North Reading was the opponent today riding an undefeated season and a win in April against Triton.

The Hornets (16-0) re-asserted themselves as the best team in the Cape Ann League defeating the Vikings, 5-2, on a sunny Monday afternoon. Triton had won twelve straight games.

Using Mascores as my source, I figured out that NR has now won fifty straight CAL softball games. Last loss? May 18,2015 (5-4) to Pentucket.

North Reading defeated Triton 6-2 earlier this season and catcher Tara Driver launched three homers in that one.

This time around Triton was not going to let that happen. In all four at-bats, Tara was intentionally walked.

Tara Driver was intentionally walked four times. She will play at D1 Niagara next year.

But we learned today that there’s more to the success of the Hornets than Tara Driver (commit to D1 Niagara).

“We took advantage of the little things,” explained Coach Michelle Morales. “Cassandra did a great job pitching. She got the outs when she needed them, and she pitched around their bigger hitters.”

Triton coach Dave Dupere narrowed the loss to timely hitting, “They got a couple of timely hits and we didn’t.”

The Vikings (15-2) picked up single runs in the last two innings but stranded eight baserunners in the first five innings.

The visitors took the lead in the third inning when junior Cassie Pascucci doubled in Jess Ferrazzani from second.

The home team looked to have the equalizer in their half of the 3rd but a terrific throw by RF Guiliana Peppe nailed Grace McGonagle at the plate.

This game got away from Triton in the NR fourth inning. The Hornets put together three runs and I wish that there was instant replay of that inning so that I could be sure that I have what happened right! North Reading loaded the bases (singles Julia Howse & Abby Paine, walk Christina Simblaris) with no one out. Then the “what happened” part kicked in. Shortstop Bridget Sheehan fielded a grounder and tagged out a runner. No run scored, and the bases stayed loaded.

2B Emily Karvielis then made a wild throw to first scoring two runs. The play wasn’t over, however. Jess Ferrazzani got into a rundown between third and home and scored. The play still isn’t over. Courtney Luker also got into a rundown between third and home and pitcher Katherine Quigley tagged her out at third.

Shortstop Bridget Sheehan in the middle of a 4-6-3 double play

“I told my assistant coach that it was one of those wacky plays that can happen in girls’ softball,” said Coach Dupere. “It was weird and unfortunate for us.”

Triton broke into that 4-0 deficit with a run in the sixth inning. It was another inning that instant replay would have been appreciated.

Colleen McCarthy and Liv Doane started the inning with hits. Dani West moved them up with a fielder’s choice. Eve Paicos hit a grounder to SS Julia Howse. Julia tagged the runner near her and threw widly home, allowing Colleen to score. Catcher Tara Driver found the bad throw and picked Eve Paicos off first base. The potential for more than one run was wasted.

NR padded their lead to 5-1 in the top of the seventh. Pinchrunner Elinor DeCleene was driven home by freshman Julie Howse. This was the only time that intentionally walking Tara Driver hurt the Vikings.

Fay Paicos turns for home in the 7th inning

Another wasted big-inning chance in the Triton 7^th. The Vikings had a run in on CF Abby Paine’s drop of Zoe Cesati’s deep fly to center with only one out. But Cassie Pascucci K’d Bridget Sheehan looking and got Emily Karvielis to ground out to end the threat and the game.

The Vikings had only two runs in their first meeting with NR. Both Triton runs today were unearned.

Wasted chances for Triton not only involved hitting but also baserunning.

Coach Dupere: “That team (North Reading) is undefeated for a reason. They’re a good team but we only lost 5-2. I would love to play them one more time because I think that we could beat them. I am proud of our girls. From where they were three years ago to now, I couldn’t be happier.”

Coach Morales: “Tara (Driver) has been walked a lot. In the past Tara has swung at bad pitches but I told her today to take the walks. I told her to look south for a college to play for because of the warm weather.”

No strikes for Tara Driver today

Tara Driver: “I’m not bothered that they walk me. It shows respect. Sometimes it’s frustrating when we’re not hitting, and they won’t pitch to me.”

Carisa Boyle ready to run

Tara on winning pitcher Cassie Pascucci: “She is very consistent. Her changeup was good today and she threw a lot of curves.”

Bridget Sheehan: “North Reading is a good team. They outplayed us today.”

The Vikings have a game left with struggling Hamilton-Wenham. NR has four non-league games to play.

Both Triton and the Hornets are in Division Two so Coach Dupere’s wish to face them again could come true. The Vikings have set themselves up for at least one home game in the postseason.

The weather was wonderful. There may have been a few sunburns handed out!

(All of the pictures will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)

Liv Doane finds a popup

Coach Michelle Morales sends Jess Ferrazzani home

Cassie Pascucci doubled in the first NR run

North Reading outfield – Abby Paine, Guiliana Peppe, Jess Ferrazzani

Zoe Cesati eyes a pitch from Cassie Pascucci

Abby Paine attempts a bunt

Triton support along the fence

Colleen McCarthy slides home safely as Tara Driver chases a bad throw

Cassie Pascucci

Zoe Cesati reached base four times

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Filed under North Reading, Triton

Tagged as Cassie Pascucci, Guiliana Peppe, Tara Driver

May 22, 2017 · 9:59 pm

North Reading runs CAL streak to thirty-two defeating Triton 11-9

Cassidy Gaeta (#11) had two home runs against Triton

Tara Driver put North Reading ahead in the 7th with a 2-out, 2-run single.

(Byfield MA) North Reading rallied for six runs in the final two innings to overtake Triton, 11-9, on a cold, drizzly Monday afternoon of Cape Ann League softball.

The Hornets (16-1) were two outs away in the seventh inning from getting their CAL winning streak stopped at thirty-one straight.

But the visitors capitalized on a throwing error (3B Tessa Boyle) and some daring baserunning by sophomore Emma Valade to tie the score. Triton RF Kendall Mitchell ran toward the infield to record the 2^nd out of the inning and might have had a play at the plate to end the game but didn’t throw home right away and Emma was in easily.

Now with runners on second and third with two outs, the Vikings faced Tara Driver (one home run). The thought of walking Tara was probably considered but the next batter was Cassidy Gaeta (two home runs).

The choice was to pitch to Tara. This time the junior did not go long ball but instead went “smart” ball driving an outside pitch through the Triton infield into right field scoring two teammates.

The two-run cushion held up in the Triton seventh and North Reading maintained their lengthy CAL winning streak that goes back to May 18, 2015 when they lost to Pentucket.

2B Emily Karvalis chases a blooper into center

The Vikings (10-7) have lost three tough ones (two by one run) in a row.

Triton whacked sixteen hits against Christina Simblaris and Cassandra Pascucci and had baserunners in every inning but the fifth. Everyone in the Vikings’ batting order reached base.

Steady shortstop play by Bridget Sheehan continues.

Pitcher Katherine Quigley had a life-threatening moment when Cassidy Gaeta ripped a liner at her. Nice to see that Katherine was wearing a mask. I would like to see masks on everyone in the infield.

How did Triton lose this game? Too many mistakes.

The home team survived an infield error (3B Tess Boyle) in the second but a drop by Kendra Beauparlant (LF) scored an NR run in the third.

Colleen McCarthy out at third

Bad baserunning caught up to Triton in the 3^rd when pinchrunner Taylor Penniman tried to score from 2^nd on an infield pop single. In the 4^th Colleen McCarthy attempted to advance from second to third on an overthrow but was gunned down by North Reading CF Haley MacIntyre.

Plenty of hitting stars on both sides. Triton’s Zoe Cesati, Bridget Sheehan, and Olivia Doane each had three hits. Zoe scored three times. Emily Karvalis drove three runs across while Olivia and Colleen McCarthy had 2 RBI apiece.

North Reading collected eleven hits off freshman Katherine Quigley. Three of them left the field. Tara Driver had four hits, drove in three runs, including the game winners, and scored three. Senior Cassidy Gaeta had two two-run homers.

The Hornets only loss so far was last Thursday 6-4 against Marblehead.

Triton can take heart that they gave NR a competitive game. That hasn’t been the case in recent years. In 2016 NR won 17-6 and 12-0. In 2015 it was 16-0 and 15-1.

The weather continues to unimpress me! I’m wearing winter boots and a winter hat on May 22^nd?

It was an entertaining game despite the conditions.

Seniors from both teams were honored before the game.

(All the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)

Triton starter Katherine Quigley

Cassidy Gaeta – two 2-run homers

Cassandra Pascucci was the winning pitcher

CF Taylor MacIntyre threw out a Triton runner at 3B

Triton shortstop Bridget Sheehan

Zoe Cesati had two doubles for Triton

Drop in the Vikings’ outfield

Force at second

Popup looking for a place to land

Courtney Luker runs into a bunt

Tara Driver batting

NR scored four times in the seventh inning

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Filed under North Reading, Triton

Tagged as Cassandra Pascucci, Cassidy Gaeta, Colleen McCarthy, Emily Karvalis, Olivia Doane, Tara Driver, Zoe Cesati

March 2, 2017 · 11:53 pm

Second half surge gets tourney win for Amesbury 48-34 over North Reading

Abbie Sartori (17 points) fires from the corner

Maddie Napoli (13 ponts) floats in the lane

(Amesbury MA) Amesbury was in trouble.

Tied with North Reading (27-27) 2 ½ minutes into the second half, and having top scorer Flannery O’Connor and starter Julia LaMontagne benched with foul trouble, the #1 seeded Indians appeared headed for a short post-season.

But Amesbury recovered and put together an impressive 19-1 segment over the next 10+ minutes of playing time and went from there to win, 48-34, on Thursday night in the quarterfinals of the Division 3 North tournament.

The Indians (20-1) will play the winner of tomorrow night’s matchup between Green Academy and St. Mary’s.

#8 seed North Reading got off to a rough start as senior Maddie Napoli (13 points) hit two three’s in the first 4 ½ minutes and the Indians led, 13-1.

Kat Hassapis (16 points) finds space in the lane

But the Hornets came all the way back riding the terrific play of senior Kat Hassapis. Kat’s three, halfway through the 2^nd period, put the visitors in front, 18-17.

The Indians finished the half on a 7-2 run, helped by two technical foul shots, to lead at intermission, 27-22.

As I referenced before, Amesbury got into foul trouble early in the second half. Losing Flannery O’Connor was serious since the sophomore had twenty-three points in the last NR/AHS meeting and only had four points so far in this one.

After the Hornets (11-12) knotted things at 27, the Indians took the game over for the next 10+ minutes of playing time. Ali Napoli and Chelsea Lynch replaced their foul-prone teammates and before long Amesbury was going one way and North Reading was going the other.

In the 19-1 breakaway time, senior Abbie Sartori hit three jump shots and one triple while freshman Ali Napoli made a neat move in the lane to get a layup and assisted on three of the AHS baskets.

On the NR side, scoring was a big-time struggle. The Hornets missed five-of-six free throws and had seven turnovers.

Mia DeNofrio

When North Reading finally made a field goal (Mia DeNorfio) with two minutes left, the visitors were down, 46-28, and the game had gotten away from them.

Mikayla Porcaro had a 3-pointer and a successful jump shot during Amesbury’s winning run.

Abbie Sartori led all scorers with seventeen points.

NR used a box-and-one to try to keep Flannery O’Connor from getting the ball. Worked quite well although Flannery found some room inside late in the game.

The Indians defeated North Reading, 72-57, on January 6^th. The Hornets made eight three’s in the first half of that game. Amesbury’s 1-3-1 zone defense worked well this time around, however, by limiting NR to only three long ones in this tourney win.

North Reading was called for a technical foul after a player entered the game and their name was not in the official scorebook.

Good crowd on hand.

Box for North Reading

Box for Amesbury

(All pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)

Lauren Sullivan blocks from behind

Flannery O’Connor draws a crowd

Loose ball

Kat Hassapis defended by the Napoli sisters

Noel Riley

Amesbury cheerleaders show how it’s done

Mikayla Porcaro and Victoria Grasso

Flannery O’Connor with Abbie Sartori

Maddie Napoli

Abbie Sartori

Kat Hassapis and Ali Napoli (Two pretty good goalies in another season)

Casey McAuliffe (#10) had two three’s

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Filed under Amesbury, North Reading

Tagged as Abbie Sartori, Ali Napoli, Flannery O'Connor, Kat Hassapis, Maddie Napoli

December 20, 2016 · 11:13 pm

Strong second half gets Pentucket girls past North Reading 50-35

Pentucket trap

(West Newbury MA) Pentucket had a rousing second half and defeated North Reading, 50-35, in Cape Ann League action on Tuesday night.

These teams shared the league title last year and split their games with each other during the season.

Graduation had put a serious dent into both teams and I was curious to see what they would be like this season.

The defenses on both sides were impressive. There were very few direct routes to the basket.

One of the glaring stats in this game was the high number of turnovers. By my count, each team committed twenty-five of them. The traveling violations by both squads almost reached the epidemic level. But that is what happens when defenses play well.

Taylor Moore (33) and Emily Riley (31) eye one of the many rebounds off of free throws.

The other glaring stat was the free throw shooting. It was atrocious. The Sachems (3-0) missed twenty-three times while the Hornets (2-1) missed ten.

The visitors broke away from a 6-6 tie (2:41 of the first) and had a ten-point lead (22-12) with 2:12 to go in the second quarter. The key to the NR breakaway was made 3’s by Taylor Moore, Victoria Grasso, and Ali Grasso.

Meanwhile, Pentucket struggled to make any kind of shot.

The second half was an entirely different story. Pentucket put in two freshmen (Angelina Yacubacci and Casey Hunt) to start and off the Sachems went. The home team made shots and that allowed their press to get set up. NR did not react well and had eleven of their TO’s in the third quarter alone.

Angelina Yacubacci had nine points in Pentucket’s third quarter

Angelina Yacubacci led the Sachems with nine points and all of them came in the terrific Pentucket third quarter.

Pentucket put a 15-1 run together to get ahead for good, 27-23 with an Alyssa Demeule layup assisted by Bella Doyle at 2:30 of the 3^rd quarter being the final points.

By the end of the 3^rd, the Sachems led, 34-27, and looked to be pulling away for good. Suddenly, however, in two straight possessions in the final quarter, the Hornets (Casey McAuliffe, Lauren Sullivan) drained 3-pointers. Now within a point (34-33) with 6 ½ minutes left, it was once again anyone’s game.

That Pentucket defense that had been good turned to very good over the final 6 ½ minutes. NR was limited to two points by a defense that would not allow penetration. There was plenty of side-to-side stuff going on but getting to the basket ended for North Reading.

In the same final minutes, Pentucket started with nine unanswered points. They had two layups (Liv Cross, Emily Riley) on assists by freshman Casey Hunt. An NR turnover led to a layup (Emily Riley) and then senior Colleen Jameson added a dagger-three to drive the Pentucket lead to ten (43-33) and this game was history.

Sophomore Casey McAuliffe led all scorers with ten points.

Casey Hunt (20) and Ali Grasso (3)

Key matchup, with plenty of future potential, was between freshman point guards Casey Hunt and Ali Grasso.

NR’s 6-5 Jess Lezon is now at Yale. Jess had seventeen points and twenty rebounds in the Hornets win last February at Pentucket.

NR’s Kat Hassapis will be playing soccer at Bentley in the fall of 2017.

John McNamara’s coaching record at Pentucket is now at 217-35. This year’s team is young but the defense is very good. The offense? They have size but taking advantage of it versus NR led to many turnovers. I’m guessing that the foul shooting will become less “foul” as the season goes on.

The biggest surprise for me was the temperature in the gym. What happened to the heat? Anyone who has been there in the past knows how tropical it was. Maybe a window was open?

North Reading was 20-3 last year and reached the D3 North finals. Pentucket was 16-6 and lost in the first round to Triton.

Pentucket box

North Reading box

(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)

Casey Hunt breaks away

Bella Doyle (14) dribbles in traffic

Colleen Jameson made two 3’s for Pentucket

Second half starters for Pentucket

loose ball

Lauren Sullivan drives

Liv Cross (32) makes a layup

Kat Hassapis fouls out

Lauren Sullivan sets to shoot with Alyssa Demeule defending

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Filed under North Reading, Pentucket

Tagged as Ali Grasso, Angelina Yacubacci, Casey Hunt, Casey McAuliffe, Colleen Jameson, Kat Hassapis

November 12, 2016 · 11:52 pm

Newburyport gets it done with PK’s to take D3 North title

Newburyport captains Jen Stuart, Amelia Kroschwitz, Sami Kelleher, and Margaret Cote pose with the D3 North championship trophy

Audra Greenblott’s PK is past disappointed NR goalie Kat Hassapis

(Lynn MA) The Newburyport Clippers advance to the state D3 semifinals after defeating the North Reading Hornets on penalty kicks on Saturday afternoon/evening at Manning Field in Lynn.

The Clippers will now face Medway (18-1-2) on Tuesday night (7PM) at Westwood High School.

Newburyport (17-1-3) came away with the “W” but were outplayed and outshot for most of regulation and two overtimes.

The Clippers scored early (34:48) when Margaret Cote cashed a wonderful feed from Julia Groth in the middle.

Juliette Nadeau (2) sent in by Karlie Vesey gets a clean look.

The Hornets (15-5-1) had the answer less than five minutes later (30:17) when Karlie Vesey sent Juliette Nadeau in clean on NBPT goalie Jen Stuart.

The Newburyport coaching staff immediately called a timeout to settle things down. They probably would have called quite a few more timeouts the rest of the way if they’d had them because the Clippers were a step slow most of the time.

On this night, North Reading could not apply the finishing touch. Trust me, it wasn’t because of lack of setups.

Credit Clippers goalie Jen Stuart for handling the shots she could reach. NR went over the net and just wide a number of times.

This was the kind of pressure Clippers GK Jen Stuart faced frequently

NR keeper Kat Hassapis had shots to deal with but none of the doorstep variety.

Kat Hassapis dives for Margaret Cote’s successful PK

That’s why the penalty-kick segment was just what Newburyport needed to take the Division 3 North title.

In the penalty kick part, there are five rounds unless a team builds up an insurmountable lead. North Reading lost the toss and Newburyport opted to shoot first.

Margaret Cote and Kat Hassapis both connected in round one.

Karlie Vesey (16) and Margaret Cote (11)

Amelia Kroschwitz and Karlie Vesey (wide right) both were unsuccessful in the second round.

In the third round, Krysta Padellaro put Newburyport up 2-1 while Marissa Zarella’s attempt hit the crossbar.

In round four, Kat Hassapis made a diving stop of Colleen Bryon’s try while Clippers GK Jen Stuart slid to her left to block Jessica Muise’s attempt.

In the fifth round, Audra Greenblott found the left corner and for the second straight game gave the Clippers an insurmountable lead and the victory.

This was the third time these two rivals met this season. There was a win, a loss, and a tie for both of them.

I was at Manning Field last year when North Reading defeated Bishop Fenwick, 2-1, on a Haley Nathan goal to win the D3 North.

Krysta Padellaro (19) and Rachel Hill (12)

Newburyport has only allowed seven goals this season, not counting the penalty kicks of tournament play.

North Reading certainly played well enough to win. Just couldn’t take advantage of their numerous chances.

Impressed with defender Jessica Muise. Her strong foot made every corner kick a scoring opportunity.

Good crowd at an excellent facility for tournament soccer.

(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)

2016 Division Three North champs

North Reading team captains – Marissa Zarella, Kat Hassapis, and Kristina Copelas

Clippers celebrate first goal

Jen Stuart corrals a shot

Sami Kelleher (8) and Kirsten Bradley (20)

North Reading threatens (Rachel Hill on the left)

header

Marissa Zarella (14) gets a head on a corner kick

Ball in the middle

Audra Greenblott

There was some contact

Kaitlyn Shevlin (6) and Colleen Byron (18)

Haley Nathan (11) traps a ball

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Filed under Newburyport, North Reading

Tagged as Amelia Kroschwitz, Audra Greenblott, Jen Stuart, Jessica Muise, Juliette Nadeau, Kat Hassapis, Margaret Cote

October 17, 2016 · 9:17 pm

Girls Soccer: Newburyport and North Reading in scoreless tie

Action off a corner kick in front of the North Reading goal

Pressure on Newburyport goalie Jen Stuart

(Newburyport MA) Shutouts are not unusual for either team.

North Reading entered today’s game with nine shutouts while Newburyport hit the turf field with eleven.

Therefore, the 0-0 final score between two of the Cape Ann League’s best girls’ soccer teams was no real surprise on this warm Monday afternoon.

However, the outcome was important to both teams. Why? In North Reading’s last game (Thursday) they had lost 2-0 to Masconomet. That was the second loss to the Chieftains this season. There was a need to tighten up the defense which, led by Kirsten Bradley and Kat Hassapis, was accomplished versus Newburyport.

For Newburyport this game put to rest the memory of a disturbing 3-0 loss the Clippers suffered on September 13^th at North Reading. I did not see that game but over the twelve games since then Newburyport has only allowed one goal. That’s what you call tightening up your defense!

Newburyport (10-1-3) needed that solid defense today as North Reading (10-3-1) had the better of the scoring chances in my opinion.

NR’s Meredith Griffin came the closest to scoring as her shot at 14:50 of the first half caromed off the crossbar. Here is the sequence of that action involving Meredith (green), Cricket Good (4), Krysta Padellaro, and goalie Jen Stuart:

In the second half (15:10), Haley Nathan had Clippers GK Jen Stuart defending her on the left but Haley passed instead of shooting. Haley’s pass across the goal put Jen out of position and had “open net” written all over it. Fortunately, for Newburyport there were no Hornets breaking in from the right and the ball rolled harmlessly across the endline. This is what that sequence looked like. Haley Nathan is #11:

Kat Hassapis about to make a save

The Clippers held their own on the defensive end and in midfield. They frequently put two or three passes together. However, the Hornets did not allow open looks. Kirsten Bradley was especially good at getting the ball away from Newburyport attackers. On the rare occasions that the ball got closer, there was the 2015 Cape Ann League Player-of-the-Year (Kat Hassapis) in net for North Reading.

Impressed with the play of Newburyport’s Krysta Padellaro and Margaret Cote. Both of them displayed the fearlessness that had them winning more than a few 50-50 balls.

Newburyport goalie Jen Stuart is unscored on in nine straight games. Next game for the Clippers is hosting Triton Wednesday (6:30PM).

Kirsten Bradley (20) and Sami Kelleher (8)

Next for North Reading is hosting Pentucket on Wednesday at 4:30PM.

The weather was amazing. Temperatures in the 70’s this late in October?

The last time I saw North Reading girls’ soccer was last November at Fraser Field in Lynn when they defeated Bishop Fenwick 2-1 to take the D3 North. I got a pretty good shot of Haley Nathan driving home the game-winner.

Unusual call (to me) in this game was against North Reading for having too many players on the field. I also saw an NR player sent to the sidelines by a referee for unsportsmanlike conduct.

(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)

Rachel Hill (12) and Margaret Cote (11)

Olivia Sullivan (20) and Kaitlyn Shevlin (6)

Chasing the ball

Kirsten Bradley

Cricket Good (4) collides with Meredith Griffin

Ball in the middle

Action around Kat Hassapis (19)

Jess Muise (9)

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Filed under Newburyport, North Reading

Tagged as Haley Nathan, Jen Stuart, Kat Hassapis, Krysta Padellaro, Margaret Cote, Meredith Griffin

May 21, 2016 · 11:46 pm

SC 2016 Cape Ann League Outdoor Championship Track Meet

Meet MVP Alec Reduker

Meet MVP Carolyn Modlish

(Boxford MA) The team winners at the 2016 Cape Ann League outdoor championship track meet were the Amesbury boys and the North Reading girls on a cloudy Saturday afternoon at Masconomet.

Amesbury held off second-place North Reading 113 to 100 while the NR girls had a 125.75 to 91 advantage over runner-up Hamilton-Wenham.

Newburyport’s Alec Reduker and Pentucket’s Carolyn Modlish were selected by the CAL coaches as the top performers at the meet.

I was at Masco for the afternoon part of the event.

OFFICIAL STATS FROM THE MEET

Girls’ team stats

Boys’ team stats

(All of the pictures in this blog entry will ENLARGE considerably if you click on them.)